PORT OF LOS ANGELES AND AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT OPEN SOLICITATION FOR ALTERNATIVE-FUEL VEHICLE FUNDING PROGRAM

Grant Program Will Provide Up To $50 Million To Help Put 500
Natural Gas Trucks Into Port Operation By Year-End

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – July 10, 2009 – Through a joint effort of the Port of Los Angeles (POLA), the Port of Long Beach, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), a new round of Clean Truck Program (CTP) grant funding will be initiated today.  This program, which includes Prop 1B funding from the California State Air Resources Board (CARB), will focus on helping truck operators purchase alternative-fueled trucks between now and the end of the year.  The grant program will provide Licensed Motor Carriers with up to $100,000 (per truck) toward the purchase of alternative fuel trucks, is expected to put a minimum of 500 new, ultra-low emission vehicles on the road by year’s end.

“These funds will help truck operators speed the replacement of older trucks with the latest generation of clean, alternative-fuel vehicles,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “This funding is particularly timely with the next phase of the progressive truck ban beginning on January 1, 2010 when pre-1994 and un-retrofitted 1994-2003 will be prohibited from entering Port terminals.”

The AQMD will administer the program and today opened the solicitation for applications based on State Prop 1B guidelines.  The deadline for submission of the applications is July 24.  The AQMD expects to release the rankings list of approved grant candidates in early September 2009 with funding contracts completed by the end of October 2009.  This timeline supports the delivery of new trucks by the end of 2009.   

Details on eligibility and program requirements are available on www.aqmd.gov. Further information and assistance is also available at the Port’s clean truck help line (866-721-5686) or the Clean Trucks Center at Pier S Avenue and New Dock Street on Terminal Island.

This new grant initiative follows a successful 2008 incentive program by the Port of Los Angeles that put into service more than 2,200 trucks that currently meet or exceed 2007 U.S. EPA emission standards.  Since the launch of the Clean Truck Program on October 1, 2008, the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex has achieved substantial reductions in diesel truck emissions, putting the program well ahead of original projections for emissions reductions.

The Port of Los Angeles, also known as “America’s Port,” has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy and the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. A recipient of numerous environmental awards, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Air Excellence Award, the Port of Los Angeles is committed to innovating cleaner, greener ways of doing business. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. The Port of Los Angeles - A cleaner port. A brighter future.